Revitalizing Downtown Bloomington as a Pedestrian-Centric Hub for Transportation Mobility and Inclusivity

Downtown For Everyone Streetscape Plan

This Downtown For Everyone Streetscape Plan provides a unifying vision and a multi-year implementable plan to revitalize the city’s downtown with a key focus on transportation mobility and inclusivity. The “Downtown For Everyone” brand was established early in the project to reflect a downtown with the potential to achieve better connectivity to the surrounding neighborhoods, greater accessibility for all, and activated public spaces that serve to connect people from different walks of life.

The project involved an individualized assessment and treatment of nearly 70 blocks of streets to address traffic, pedestrian mobility, parking, and various streetscaping or placemaking opportunities while addressing other related infrastructure needs. One of the downtown’s key challenges was its context within the US 51 corridor, an oversized vehicular-prioritized arterial that bounds two sides of downtown yet creates a barrier of accessibility for non-vehicular users.

The plan was adopted unanimously by the City Council in April 2024. Key recommendations of the Downtown Plan include:

• Road diets on US-51 and other roadways, increasing pedestrian space within street Rights-of-Way;
• Creative placemaking elements that reactivate public areas in attractional ways;
• ADA accessibility for Downtown Bloomington;
• Improvement of various intersections to adjust traffic flow and enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists;
• Major infrastructure projects, such as separating all combined sewers downtown, replacing aged water mains and lead service lines, and establishing underground detention to assist with flooding issues;
• Incorporation of bike lanes and connectivity to the area trail system; and
• Development of Streetscape-style guidelines with a unique and consistent identity.

Improvements were supported with engineering analysis, traffic counts at intersections, and traffic modeling. The project involved a successful public outreach program designed to inform, solicit feedback, and create enthusiasm for the initiative. Key elements include a vibrant website by Clear Design Group, community open houses, and individualized engagement with numerous stakeholders.

The adopted plan provides a recommended phasing plan including program costs and funding options, with flexibility incorporated into the implementation. CMT is pleased to continue working with the City of Bloomington in the implementation phase, which is now getting underway.